Federal health officials are waving the warning flag about a group of potentially fatal germs that have become difficult to treat. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says a family of germs that includes E. coli are becoming more prevalent at hospitals around the country. The grouping known as "CRE bacteria" are resistant to nearly all antibiotics and have high mortality rates. Hospitals are being told to keep infected patients in specialized wards, and health officials say handwashing among hospital staff is also of great importance.